The principle physical difference in the Affnan siphon vs our original version (straight standpipe) is that the overall standpipe assembly is taller, and that it uses a "funnel" on top of the standpipe. By Affnan specs the ratio of funnel to standpipe is 2:1 however we found that a 1.5" funnel worked better in our system. This could be due to various factors that will need further investigation and experimentation. The biggest positive feature for us is the ability to easily adjust the height of the standpipe so as to better set the height the water rises in the bed. The larger funnel we tried would not reset. We are not saying the problem lies with the design, more towards our use of this design. If you want to know more about the Affnan system please refer to his YouTube videos, he has quite a few.
We also established our first worm bin. The worm bins will be to grow food for the catfish. The materials we used are a plastic container about 2' long x 18" wide x 18" tall. I trilled holes around the top of the container but under the lip in case it was exposed to water from the top the container would not flood. And though many documents said to drill holes in the bottom of the container we decided not to but to monitor the moisture we placed inside. If we wanted to, we could have drilled holes but then we would have needed to add security to the container to keep the worms from wondering off, or other insects from getting in, or from water getting in from the bottom. The worm bin will be stored under a grow bin away from direct sunlight and weather in general. One possible additional safety measure might be to sit the the container on an upturned lid and add water to it creating a small "moat" around the container. We feel this would limit access by fire ants- if we felt there might be a problem, or discover there is a problem with the ants.
We next used shredded office paper and cheap bagged topsoil to build our bed. The soil is for the grit required by the worm's digestive system. We started with shredded paper, wetted it, then added a large handful of top soil and mixed it together ensureing that it was well integrated. We could have used soil from around the site but I wanted to start with somewhat known and stable ingredients. We then added more paper and started again but integrating the previous batch into the new also. We continued this process until the container was a little less than half full. We then added the worms to the top and allowed them to work their way into the bedding.
Just to be clear, the above description only concerns the worm bedding- were the worms live -not their food supply. Though the worms will eat their bedding one must also add "food to the top about once a week, depending on the number of worms to be feed. I believe the proper ratio is one pound of worms to every 1/2 pound of "food" (waste, garbage, etc.). We are starting with about 20+ red wigglers of various sizes that I dug from my composte pile. I will add more later.
According to the documentation we read we will place the food on top of the bedding and monitoring until it is almost gone. The worms should come up through the bedding to feed. Once the food is gone we will place more on the top. If we had started with 50 worms we should be able to harvest in 2 months so I assume it will take longer for us since we added less, or we will need to add more.
One of the biggest concerns is that of moisture. All the documentation said that the bedding should be damp but not wet. The best description I think is that of a wrung-out spounge, though I suppose everyone has their own notion of what "wrung-out" is. Imagine your a worm, living in an environment... you are not an aquatic animal and your want to be comfortable... go from there.
We will be establishing several worm beds over time and to whatever production level is needed. We will use different materials- hopefully all will consist of "waste" materials -and we will try several methods.
We ended out time by taking water chemistry and found it all was still about the same. Because we have a need for more Nitrogen, and because the bacteria seems to be established to some level, we think the following is a good strategy:
- We will be adding a couple more large catfish.
- We will monitor the system for 1-2 weeks
- We will check nitrite/nitrate levels to ensure the system handles the added load; 1-2 weeks
- Remove the large fish and add our fingerlings.
Once we have established the system and feel comfortable in its operation we will need to develop a maintenance routine and schedule so that all those that want to can help with the plants and fish. This is not to say that anyone who wants to be involved now can't- just let me know if you're interested and will try to ensure that you know when we are meeting at the site.
Currently either Rob Payne or I are dropping by the site to check on it every other day. We have been trying to meet on Wednesday evenings, and sometimes Friday evenings for system work and experimentation.
Hopefully nobody is feeling left out but if so please be proactive and let me know of your interests so I can add you to eMails and schedules.
Blessings- Tony
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